AllBuffs.com - Covering CU-Boulder Athletics

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Coach Prime isn’t in the game.

The public has had their hands on EA Sports’ College Football 26 for a couple of days now, and Colorado fans have noticed there’s something major missing from the game. Specifically, there’s someone major missing: CU head coach Deion Sanders.

One of the major selling points of CFB 26 was the introduction of the name, image and likeness of actual college head coaches after they were completely omitted from CFB 25. EA showed off the inclusion of Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Ohio State’s Ryan Day in early promotion, leading Colorado fans everywhere to get excited about Coach Prime making his way into the video game world.

Unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition. When fans logged on to see who Colorado’s head coach was in CFB 26, they were greeted with the likes of Kirk Patrick, who is quite notably NOT Sanders.

Dion Sanders has declined to be in NCAA26.

Dre Kirkpatrick is the HC of the Colorado Buffaloes. pic.NOPE/xrZTEZXezM

— Mr. RedDey (@UDCincyFan) July 7, 2025​

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Sanders isn’t the only big-name coach to have opted out of his likeness being used by EA, as North Carolina’s Bill Belichick is also absent from the game.

While we don’t know exactly why Sanders isn’t in the game, fans will just have to deal with it for the time being. Perhaps Sanders and EA can reach an agreement for his inclusion in CFB 27, but that’s a long way away. For now, Colorado fans will have to win Natty's and Heisman with Coach Patrick, instead of Coach Prime.

by RylandScholes
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Hunter has received one final award from the Big 12 before his NFL career starts

Travis Hunter has been a Jacksonville Jaguar for the better part of two months now, but that didn’t stop the Big 12 Conference from honoring Colorado’s former Heisman Trophy winner with one final award.

Hunter, alongside BYU standout track and field star Meghan Hunter, was named co-reipient of the Big 12’s Bobby Bowlsby Award. According to the conference, “The Bobby Bowlsby Award is the Conference’s highest individual honor. Named for former Commissioner Bobby Bowlsby, the award recognizes one male and one female student-athlete who exemplify success on and off the field.”

The Colorado standout two-way superstar had one of the most unique and historic seasons in the history of college football in 2024, breaking and setting numerous records previously thought to be untouchable.

Despite his plethora of on-field successes, the Big 12 says his off-the-field actions are what earned him this honor.

“Off the field, Hunter is the epitome of a teammate and a good citizen,” wrote a conference spokesperson in a press release. “He regularly visited schools and community centers and helped families in need by purchasing Christmas gifts. After sustaining an injury during the Colorado State game his sophomore season, he reached out to support the opposing player - who had received online threats - by recording a joint video to defuse the situation.”

It’s undeniable that Hunter has left a deep mark on the Boulder community. We don’t need him to win the Bobby Bowlsby Award to know that locally, but it certainly is a nice bonus.

Congrats, Travis! No one deserves this honor more than you.

by RylandScholes
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Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for ONIT

Which Buffs are rated too high and too low?

College Football 26 is here!

Eager fans can finally get their hands on the game today, with Deluxe Edition pre-orders gaining access early this afternoon.

Last year, many thought Colorado got some favoritism in the ratings department due to Coach Prime’s media presence. However, if we look back on CFB 25 and the Buffs' 9-4 season, everything points to EA and their ratings team doing a great job, despite the fan criticism.

This year, things might be different. Let’s take a look at CU’s roster on CFB 26 and discuss where the game may have gotten things wrong, and where I believe they got things right.

Offense - 83 Overall:​

QB: Kaidon Salter (88), Julian Lewis (79), Ryan Staub (72)

RB: Micah Welch (83), Dallen Hayden (81), Simeon Price (81), Charlie Offerdahl (80)

WR: Joseph Williams (80), Drelon Miller (79), Omarion Miller (79), Jack Hestera (76)

TE: Zach Atkins (77), Sav’ell Smalls (76)

OT: Jordan Seaton (92), Xavier Hill (90), Phillip Houston (80)

OG: Aki Ogunbiyi (79), Tyler Brown (75), Kareem Harden (75)

C: Zarian McGill (75)

Defense - 82 Overall:​

DE: Arden Walker (83), Samuel Okunlola (83), Keaten Wade (81), Justin Bigby (78)

DT: Jaheim Oatis (86), Tavian Coleman (78), Gavriel Lightfoot (76)

LB: Martavius French (81), Reginald Hughes (76)

CB: DJ McKinney (89), Tyrecus Davis (82), Makari Vickers (76)

FS: Carter Stoutmire (85)

SS: Preston Hodge (82)

Special Teams - 77 Overall:​

K: Alex Mata (76), Buck Buchanan (73)

P: Damon Greaves (71)

What they got right:​

• DJ McKinney - 89 Overall (CB): This feels like a good spot for DJ. He has the upside and experience to become a premier cornerback in the Big 12 this year. This rating also places DJ as the third highest overall on the entire team, which feels about right. Adjusting his overall up from 89 will be easy if DJ has the breakout year he looks poised to have.
• Jordan Seaton - 92 Overall (OT): 92 for a true sophomore is high praise, but Seat has earned it. He is expected to be one of the best tackles in the entire Big 12 this season, and low 90’s feels fair for a guy with much more to prove.
• Kaidon Salter - 88 Overall (QB): Salter has lots of reps at the FBS level during his time at Liberty, throws a great ball and very well might be the best rushing quarterback within the Big 12. Salter has yet to play for a Power Five program, but with what he’s already proven in Jamey Chadwell’s offense, an 88 feels very fair for Salter to start.

What they got wrong:​

• Preston Hodge - 82 Overall (SS): This one is strange. Not only has Hodge earned mid-to-high 80s overall respect, but he also doesn’t play strong safety. Hodge, like last year, is expected to play nickel corner and was rated as one of the best in the entire country last year. Expect Hodge to be moved into the high 80’s and to cornerback by October.
• Omarion Miller - 79 Overall (WR): Omarion Miller had some massive moments in 2024, and the upside is through the roof with Omarion. I would have given Miller an 84 or 85, even with the broken leg he suffered at the end of last season. Miller has the potential to grow into one of the best receivers in the Big 12, and 79 is far too low.
• Carter Stoutmire - 85 Overall (FS): Stoutmire has the potential to reach an 85 overall this year, but I don’t think he’s done anything yet to warrant this rating. Last season, Stoutmire was utilized as a backup Nickel Corner and Safety. He is a versatile DB with lots of upside all over the field, but low 80s would have been plenty fair at this point.

by Jacob Thompson
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Experts predict Seaton and McKinney will be amongst the Big 12’s best.

The Big 12 released its official preseason All-Conference team on Monday afternoon, and two Colorado Buffaloes made the cut.

Offensive lineman Jordan Seaton and cornerback DJ McKinney were listed on the first-team All-Big 12 list for their respective positions, as experts predict that they’ll be amongst the conference’s best players during the upcoming 2025 season.

Seaton, a true sophomore former five-star recruit from Maryland, has received high praise ahead of this second college campaign. After shocking the college football world by committing to Boulder, Seaton blossomed into one of the best young offensive tackles in the country in 2024, earning freshman All-American honors from On3, 247 Sports and PFF. Seaton was named to both the Walter Camp and Athlon Sports preseason All-American lists, so making the Big-12 preseason All-Conference team comes as anything but a surprise.

McKinney, a redshirt sophomore who transferred to Boulder from Oklahoma State ahead of the 2024 season, showed out in his first season with the Buffaloes. Playing alongside Travis Hunter meant McKinney would get targeted more, and he took full advantage of that opportunity. After tallying nine pass breakups, three picks, a forced fumble and 44 unassisted tackles last season, McKinney was getting widely mocked as a first-round selection when the 2026 NFL Draft comes around. 2025 will more than likely be McKinney’s final year at the college level, and this preseason All-Big 12 selection could be an omen of good things to come.

Big 12 Media Days kick off tomorrow in Frisco, Texas, so make sure to keep up with Ralphie Report for any additional updates.

by Ryland Scholes
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After being a liability for years, the Buff defensive line is a strength, which may prove necessary as CU is thin in both talent and depth at inside linebacker ... CU's defensive backfield is talented, though not as deep as during Coach Prime's first two seasons ...

Stuart
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